In things pertaining to God (7a pos rdv Gedv). Comp. Rom. xv. 17. A technical phrase in Jewish liturgical lan- guage to denote the functions of worship. Const. with a faithful high priest, not with compassionate.
To make reconciliation (es 7d (Adoxefar). See on pro- pitiation, Rom. iii. 25. ‘The verb only here and L. xviii. 13.
18. In that he himself hath suffered being tempted (év @ yap mérovbev abros wetpacbes). Rend. for having himself been tempted in that which he suffered. The emphasis is on having been tempted. Christ is the succourer of the tempted because he has himself been tempted. ’Ev 6 is not inasmuch
Cu. IIL] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 409
as, but means in that which. ’Ev 6 wémrovOev qualifies reipac- Geis, explaining in what the temptation consisted, namely, in suffering.*
1. The leading ideas of the preceding section are echoed in this verse: brethren, of whom Christ made himself the brother: holy, in virtue of the work of the sanctifier.
Wherefore (d0ev). Drawing a conclusion from ch. ii. 9-18.
Holy brethren (aderdoi dyiov). The phrase N. T.°. ’Ader- got brethren, in address, is not found in the Gospels. In Acts mostly avdpes adergol brother men. In Paul, a8. dyamrnrtol brethren beloved, or ad. ayatr. kal érimoOnrot brethren beloved and longed for (once, Philip. iv. 1), a8. nyamnpeévor bard rob Geod and rod Kupiov brethren beloved of God or of the Lord, and ad. pov my brethren. .In James mostly 46. pov. In Hebrews, except here, adergot simply. Holy brethren (see ch. ii. 11) are worshippers of God, taking the place of God’s O. T. people, as called and consecrated to ethical and spiritual service according to the Christian ideal.
Partakers of a heavenly calling (xAjcews érrovpaviou péro- yor). Meéroyoe partakers only in Hebrews except L. v. 7. See on peréoyev took part, ch. ii. 14. The phrase heavenly calling N. T.°. Comp. tis avo KrAjoews the upward calling, Philip. i. 14. The expression points to the lordship of the world to be (ch. ii. 5); and the world to be is the abiding world, the place of realities as contrasted with types and
* Dr. W. Robertson Smith objects that Jesus was in all potnts tempted like as we are (ch. iv. 15), and that not every temptation arises out of the painful experiences of life. But the great point is that Christ is able to succour the tempted because he has himself experienced temptation. The peculiar nature of his temptation, and the points of its correspondence with ours, are not in question. One point is selected out of the whole range of possible causes of temptation, and that the most prominent and obvious point — suffering.
410 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. III.
shadows. The calling comes from that world and is to that world. See ch. xiii. 14.
Consider (xatavonoate).* Attentively, thoughtfully (cata). See on Jas. i. 23. The writer’s habit is to use the communicative we or us identifying himself with his readers.
The apostle and high priest (Tov admdartoAov Kal apytepéa). In calling Jesus apostle, the writer is thinking of Moses as one sent by God to lead Israel to Canaan. Comp. LXX, where azroarédrewv to send is often used of Moses. See Ex. lii.-vii. Often of Jesus, as L.x.16; J.in.17; v.36; vi. 29.
Of our profession (7s ouoroylas nua@v). Rend. confession for profession. The apostle and high priest whom we con- fess. Comp. 1 Tim. vi. 12.
2. Who was faithful (icrdv dvta). Rend. “is faithful.” A general designation of inherent character. He is faithful as he ever was.
To him that appointed him (7@ ro:joavts aitov). Con- stituted him apostle and high priest. Some render created, referring to Christ’s humanity or to his eternal generation. So the Old Latin, creatort suo; but this does not suit the con- text. TloveZv often in Class. in the sense of znstitute, as sacri- fices, funerals, assemblies, etc., and in the middle voice of adoption asa son. See 1 Sam. xii.6; Mk. iii. 14; Acts ii. 36.